Militant Saffronization as a response to Militant Evangelization

During his recent visit to the Vatican Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo expressed two vital alarms in the Church in India, namely, persecution of Christians and a rapid decline in the Church turnout due to the recent scandals in Europe. The religious of India can contribute towards these two concerns that are affecting the Church today.

The Militant Evangelization

In the wake of recent attack on the Catholic College in Anekal, I am inclined to enunciate the cause of deep-seated atrocities on the minorities in two worldviews. Firstly, ‘the militant evangelisation’ made its way into India through myriad missionary activities. It is an unpleasant historical dilemma that Church faces even now. Missionaries brought Christianity to India under the noble cause of saving souls through the Church. But this noble cause formed an indelible mark on the ethnic people of India and it remains an unhealed wound until now. Gandhi in his autobiography accounts to his first reaction to Christianity. Christianity in his early boyhood was one of resentment, because Christian missionaries ‘used to stand in a corner near the his high school and hold forth pouring abuse on Hindus as their gods as satanic.’ However his early resentment was largely overcome when he later on met worthy and noble Christians and studied the New Testament when he was in England. This is just trivial spark that can trigger Hindus to react badly towards Christianity. There are other issues that can give way to hatred towards Christianity namely, calling us as ‘Roman’ Catholics or public holiday on Sunday, which happens to be our worship day. We have to try and solve these small issues with utmost respect to a religion that existed even before Christianity.

The Militant Saffronization

Secondly, “the militant saffronization” can jeopardise the fundamental right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the country’s constitution. India is fundamentally a secular state. The diverse religions make India a unique cradle that accommodates major world religions. However, some militant fanatics, who motivated by the political ideologies, act with an allegiance to some group or leaders who seek to destroy the harmony between myriad religions constantly threatening minority. Hindu civilisation, which came to be considered by the Hindus themselves as non-offensive, docile, tolerant and the accommodating type unlike the war-like and aggressive Greek, Roman, Christian and Islamic civilisations. Hindu apologists project ‘non-invasion of foreign lands’ as a great virtue and an outstanding characteristic of the great Hindu culture and civilisation. ‘We never invaded anyone in our 3000 or 5000 years of glorious history’ croak the Hindu leaders. One wonders how is the docile, non-offensive, and tolerant and accommodating religion has turned into a religion of offensiveness, intolerance and non-accommodating enterprise. Religion is the gateway to instil hatred and enmity between brothers and sisters of the mother India. One can question, is that a true religion or just political façade under which personal and selfish goals are met.

A Way Forward

Pope Benedict XVI clarifies in his book, Light of the World, that it is not the same thing to say that Christ is the Son of God in whom the full presence of the truth about God finds expression and to say that various kinds of truth are also present in other religions, that they have some thing like fragments or beams of the great light, that, in a certain respect, they even represent an inner movement toward him. Thence the traditional Christian understanding of Church alone is salvific is modified. Today the Church accepts and recognises that other religions contain truth and God’s continual revelation. Today we have to redefine the papal document ‘Evangelii Nuntiandi’ issued in 1975, on mission in modern times. The Synod of Bishops from all over the world met to draft a document for the “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith” on October 7-28, 2012 in Vatican. The draft of the Synod, lineamenta clearly seems to suggest that success in the new evangelization implies an internal examination of conscience and a willingness to explore “new ways of being Church” and “new models.” Therefore religious have a gauntlet that is challenging and dangerous. We have to think outside the box to be witnesses with taking on board all the people in our land. We have to coexist with each other rather then remaining in our own ghettos. We have to have due knowledge of other religious practices in order to coexist with others.

Oozing Wounds of Scandals

Cardinal Toppo by thanking the missionaries who brought faith to our continent forewarned that Indian Christians are facing a crisis as a result of the scandals in the Vatican. And the Churches are getting emptier and emptier. It is vital for us to pray and especially to stay united in Christ and close to Pope. Whole episode of revelation of scandals in the Church has created a rift between the religious and the people. Trust that once religious enjoyed has been distorted after the perilous scandals. I was confronted by a group of young boys with an obvious question, why should we go to Church, to listen to the priest who might endanger our children? One has to be aware that the Church existed long before these scandals, and faith is rather personal, consequently the crisis in the Church should not virtually affect the functioning of the Church and be a cause to change one’s faith. There is ample literature written on this issue. Pope Benedict addressing in the Westminster Cathedral apologised to the victims of sex scandal with deep sense of pain and regret.

This can be a huge challenge for the religious in India sooner if not later. Mass media is no more sympathetic and poignant in reporting the truth. Unearthing of the long kept secrets can affect the faith of the people and empty our Churches. We got to act quickly but with ‘New Evangelizing’ approach. People are becoming aware of the current knowhow of the situation. We can preach without preaching through our undivided and sanctified life. 

Britain's First STD call in 1958

The Queen makes Britain's first subscriber trunk dialled (STD) telephone call

December 1958

There's no need for operator assistance as The Queen makes Britain's first subscriber trunk dialled (STD) telephone call from the Bristol Telephone Exchange. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh is on the other end of the line.

© Press Association

My Miracle Mother

                                                                   Mom, I look at you
and see a walking miracle.
Your unfailing love without limit,
your ability to soothe my every hurt,
the way you are on duty, unselfishly,
every hour, every day,
makes me so grateful
that I am yours, and you are mine.
With open arms and open heart,
with enduring patience and inner strength,
you gave so much for me,
sometimes at your expense.
You are my teacher,
my comforter, my encourager,
appreciating all, forgiving all.
Sometimes I took you for granted, Mom,
but I don’t now, and I never will again.
I know that everything I am today
relates to you and your loving care.
I gaze in wonder
as I watch you being you—
my miracle, my mother.

                                                                                               By Joanna Fuchs

                                                                            Sketches: By Jerri Melwin Dias

Political Blame Game: A Debate in the House of Commons

After waiting in the biting cold for about 45 minutes outside the Houses of Parliament in London, I witnessed a Treasury Departmental Debate on cuts, which nourished my own interest in political science. This debate was over a bill about the spending cuts in Britain. Debate was between Tory MP, the Chancellor exchequer Mr George Osborne and Shadow Chancellor Mr Ed Balls of Labour party. I was lucky enough to get a close glimpse of the whole debacle between Tories and Labour MP’s because I had a special guest ticket from my Local MP Hammond. Debate was presided over by the Speaker of the House of Commons. The place I was sitting was called ‘Strangers Gallery’. This sounded so strange to me, for we were strangers in our own land and this is another debate for me indeed. Whole House of Commons looked grim in the beginning as the bill was read without any interruptions. It was rather boring to hear a lengthy report as to what the party planned to do in the area of finance which was rather stale for me for I read it in the new papers every day.

The actual debate began only once the Speaker gave a go signal. MP’s concerned raised several concerns as regards to the spending cuts. Let me warn you, this word “spending cuts” has become so cliché in Britain, no one seems to be taking it very seriously accept for the fact that government would do as it pleases irrespective of the public opinion. The Labour MP’s were up in arms against the ruling Party to accuse and question about the spending cuts that is introduced in order to cut the deficit that country is facing at the moment. They asked several questions to trap and hold responsible for the damage that the ruling party is creating to the public. They made their voice heard with several data and statistics that were very well available online or data collected by some people who would think with them. In response to the Labour party queries and accusations, Mr Osborne re-accused the Labours by saying that they just clearing the mess created by the previous government for the last thirteen years. They asserted that they had left the country with enormous deficit and debt that present government had to bear. They also produced a detailed data and statistics ditto done by the Labours. I was absolutely lost at the end of the debate and I was mesmerised by the fact that the politicians are the best actors in the world who act in order to get people’s votes. This is normal for a politician if I am say.

The real issue lies in the fact that the blame game is everywhere in the world. I am numb to politics because I have seen and witness enough politicians’ empty promises in India. Indian politics is rather like a child play. In this child play politicians dance according to the tune of the people until they are elected, once they are elected to the parliament they just disappear and keep themselves occupied with filling their own barns with fat bank accounts. But here in Westminster I had rather positive opinion than India regards to politics. Having studies political science for my first degree myself, I do feel that need for leaders chosen by the people and for the people. I am pro-debate on any bills but I am anti-blame game. Can we see politics without this blame game in democratic countries? I think this is possible only if the political leaders just do the work as a service to the people not with the intention to secure their position for the next elections namely vote mongering beggars. We all have to live with this as long as the society continues to elect their leaders based on some personal interests. As Rene Girard, a well known philosopher used the term “ultimate authority” to control the violence and seek harmony and prosperity, we have to have this ultimate authority in the form of political leaders who work for harmony and prosperity of the people, particularly needy, poor, homeless, prisoners, beggars, unemployed, physically crippled, elderly, children and all vulnerable people of our country. 

Horses' Blessing

One day while he was at the race-track playing the ponies and all but losing his shirt, Mitch noticed a Catholic priest stepping-out onto the track and blessing the forehead of one of the horses lining up for the 4th race. Lo and behold, that horse - a very long shot - won the race.

Before the next race, as the horses began lining up, Mitch watched with interest as the old priest step onto the track. Sure enough, as the 5th race horses came to the starting gate the priest made a blessing on the forehead of one of the horses. Mitch made a beeline for a betting window and placed a small bet on the horse. Again, even though it was another long shot, the horse the priest had blessed won the race.

Mitch collected his winnings, and anxiously waited to see which horse the priest would bless for the 6th race. The priest again blessed a horse. Mitch bet big on it, and it won. Mitch was elated. As the races continued the priest kept blessing long shot horses, and each one ended up coming in first.

Bye and bye, Mitch was pulling in some serious money. By the last race, he knew his wildest dreams were going to come true. He made a quick dash to the ATM, withdrew all his savings, and awaited the priest's blessing that would tell him which horse to bet on.

True to his pattern, the priest stepped onto the track for the last race and blessed the forehead of an old nag that was the longest shot of the day. Mitch also observed the priest blessing the eyes, ears, and hooves of the old nag.

Mitch knew he had a winner and bet every cent he owned on the old nag. He then watched dumbfounded as the old nag come in dead last.

Mitch, in a state of shock, made his way down to the track area where the priest was. Confronting the old priest he demanded, "Father! What happened? All day long you blessed horses and they all won. Then in the last race, the horse you blessed lost by a Kentucky mile. Now, thanks to you I’ve lost every cent of my savings - all of it!”

The priest nodded wisely and with sympathy. "Son," he said, "that's the problem with you Protestants; you can't tell the difference between a simple blessing … and The Last Rites."

Source: Anonymous. 

On His Blindness

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait." 


John Milton

Life is/isn't fair: Two faces of life

Have you ever wondered how would it feel if we are looking for our missing loved one for a long time? Have you ever soothed by the glowing smile on a child's face? 

Yes. It was today that my heart stumbled with sorrow when a man shared his most languishing story containing himself being in the snares of drugs and meanwhile his search for his missing father goes in vein. On the other hand I was at the baptism of four little babies where there was an atmosphere of joy and celebration of family and life. In both of these instances my sense of wonder wandered with utmost sympathy for the first one and my heart was overjoyed at the tender smile of the toddlers. 

Let me explain: The man who is in his 20s was an ambitious ever green person. His dream of becoming an actor in the East Enders (TV series in the UK) was shattered when he found that his father suddenly disappeared from his life at the early 20s. He was extremely worried about his father and set out to look for him. His search went in vein for most of his life. With a little courage left and with bleak hope of his father he goes into consuming drugs. Drugs take on his life and shatters him into pieces. He finds himself in the drudgery of life with umpteen issues that ruin his young life. Life with ambition becomes just a historical data in his life. As he was sharing this extraordinary testimony his eyes were soaked with tears and soon the tears rolled down his cheek and soaked his whole face. He had a father who would dry his tears but now he is left without a father. Will he find his father one day? Will his search yield fruit? Will his father come and dray his tears? Will stop taking drugs? These questions just remain a future possibilities. 

Second instance, I was at the baptism of four tiny kids. As the priest said the prayers the kids were overjoyed with the whole paraphernalia of celebration. The parents and guardians showed a tremendous joy and hope on their faces. Children to be baptised were applauded by the congregation as the sign of acceptance into the community. This is a wonderful gesture that we need children and God loves the children. They are the future of our nation. As certain philosopher said, child is the father of man, we have a responsibility for our children until they are mature enough to stand on their own. When I see children I feel only one thing that God still loves the world. He cannot be loving us any better than just grant us and our earth with more human species. We will continue to grow on this earth. Many people, races, tribes and kingdoms have passed this world but human being never extinct unlike other animals. Why does this happen, biologically or scientifically we can give myriad explanations with proper proofs but the ultimate truth is God loves the world therefore he makes the couple to bear children. In other words he gives the authority to the parents through the gift of marriage to bring forth the creation and continue tot grow day by day. Therefore we have every reason to rejoice at the joy and smile these little innocent children bring to our sad, battered, war-stricken world. 

These two contrasting experiences have taught me to be more sensitive to the anguish of the other and be attentive and acknowledge that God loves us and he will continue to love us forever. We shall try to be more sensitive to the people who are addicted to drugs. We cannot condemn them but we cannot condone them either. We have to seek a way to relate to them and make them not use the drugs and lead a life worthy of living. We have every reason to praise the thank God for the gift of life for each and every one us including Stephen Hawkins. Whether we believe or reject God but life is something we cannot create. It is God's gift to the couple who are prepared to raise the child in this universe. 

JOB INTERVIEW: A Time of Joy and Sorrow

Have you ever been turned down a job after a decisive and nerve wrecking interview? What will be the sentiment of a person who has been refused a job after a hectic interview? 

Well, I had an opportunity to witness an interview for a job. There were ten enthusiastic candidates for one job. All of them had to present themselves with their best presentation ever in order to advertise their own potentials and expertise. One of the candidates who I saw from afar looked calm in the interview but an opaque nerviness hurled her wonderful smiling face. I am sure the three interviewers might have noticed this. I could see a longing in her eye for that job. Firstly her whole body language sent a message to the interviewer, 'please please give me this job' secondly her eyes cried out without tears sending out vibrations of cry to give that job and thirdly her whole might and energy went out of her through the presentation she had prepared whole heartedly. The interviewers might have questioned her abilities and talents in order to select a best candidate. The interviewee in turn given her 100% to convince the panelists that she is the one they are looking for. 

I am reminded of my own job interview in July 1997 in Mangalore for a small post as attender in a office that belonged to the University of Mangalore. It was called Chair in Christianity. The priest who interviewed me was very lenient towards to me because I could present myself well with all my limited knowledge of work and innocence. The first question he asked me was "how are you today?" which eased my tension to a large extent. I am nervous to the core but I hid my nervousness behind a facade that helped me to showcase bold side of me. The priest who interviewed was very good person. He had a special consideration to the people who come from remote villages who came to city for a job. All the more I was due to study during the evening my A Levels and work as an attender during the day at his office. This impressed and amazed the priest that I was going to study and work. This secured me a job of an attender in his office. The second part of the interview was to explain the work I was supposed to do. I was so very happy. I spent my first salary in getting something special for my parents but I hardly knew what special thing made them happy because they were very simple people. I just bought some nice Apples for them, which is quite rare for us in the village. This actually did not make them happy because they wanted me to save my money for my own studies. I then started saving my money for my own studies according to their wish. I worked at Chair in Christianity for a year after which I went to study during the day.

All of us have some experience of attending a job interview. Some of us are just lucky to get job and fortunate to secure a career out of that job. But some people are not just lucky enough to pass the interview and get disappointed in life. Most people who fail the interview feel rejected and feel dejected in life. They feel their abilities have been underestimated. This feeling might grow into a continual frustration in life and at last a time will come when they cannot take it anymore rather just give up in life. This frustration might lead one to conclude that this life is not worth living. Have we ever felt this? Dear friends it is this time that we have to pick up bits and pieces of life and start anew, may be from the scratch. It is that this time we have to say to ourselves that this job is not meant for me, there is someone better than I am. It is that this time we have to sit back and think what is next rather just beating our breasts in frustration. Our frustration might earn us a big reward. Every failure is a stepping stone to success. When a hundred time Edison failed to get the results out of his experiment in light bulb, he said they are not failure but they are just a hundred things that I cannot make a light bulb. Thus he succeeded in his unprecedented revolution in creating light bulb.  

Job interview is a like a sport, one has to perform one's best with one's utmost energy and skill; one might win or might lose because the opponent is better than I am. A good sportsman or sportswoman would not give up rather; practice more in order to prove better than other. Hence we can win with due practice and a sense of patient perseverance.